The so-called crime serials on television, especially in Kannada, have become the byword in cheap, sensational, titillatory, voyeuristic yellow-journalism.

Privacies are invaded, reputations are shreded, insinuations are hurled, blood and gore spilt with such stunning lack of taste and sensitivity that it boggles the mind.

As the humourist Pranesh alias Gangavati Beechi puts it, “Naavu henge aagogiddivi andre, naalakku hena beelade iddare, nammige nidre ne barolla (we have become such we can’t grab five winks if we do not see four corpses).”

Working firmly on the simple logic that you should never let facts come in the way of a good story, the loud hosts of the two programmes have made their nightly incursions into necrophilia the first court of public resort.

How lovely, then, that one of the two “Cheap Justices of the Low Court of Karnataka”—Balakrishna Kakatkar of “Crime Story” on Udaya—should himself get embroiled in a blazing controversy that he would have been hollering about in high decibels otherwise.

For those not following the case, Kakatkar’s wife was found dead in mysterious circumstances along with a relative last week. The police version is that wife and hubby were separated for a long time, that the lady had run into business losses which prompted the alleged suicide, etc.

But, as the Mahatma could have but didn’t say it, those who live by third-rate journalism will die by it.

Vijaya Karnataka—a publication where the other host Ravi Belagere of “Crime Diary” has a column—has reported the presence of a “suicide note” which allegedly throws light on Kakatkar’s wife-beating and drinking.

That may not exactly be enough to implicate Kakatkar, but sauce for the victims is sauce for the victimiser, and some affected souls have mounted an SMS and blog campaign , alleging a cover-up and urging the National Human Rights Commission and Lok Ayukta for an investigation.

In addition to crime serials, we should look at the news coverage on TV. Indian TV channels have no respect for the dead or the injured. Just look at the way the accident or crime victims shown on TV. Blood and body parts are splashed on the small screen without any regard. I have seen some news footages where the cameraman made it into the morgue just so that we can get a closer view of the dead person(s). Should we not treat the departed with basic dignity? How would you feel, god forbid, if someone you love is portrayed in the same manner?

If crime stroy is having its downside, the Kannada serials are no better. For example Etv goes berserk with lot off serials. All start of well but lose the focus after few episodes. Olave namma baduku is a poor imitatiion of Mukta and the way it is going, it considers the viewers as cretins without brain and the other atrocious one is Preethi illada mele. Needless to say I have stopped seeing. Even take the Male billu and it shows T.N.Seetharam of Mukta fame in very poor light. It is merely verbal chakravhuha and repeating the same trite conversations i endless permutatiions and combinations and their seems to be no exit. I have also treated the serial the with the contemptit deserves by switching on to other channels. Now Etv have made it a pay channel as though by artificially extending the Mukta they were not satisfied with earning huge money through advertisements and they now want to fleece the gullible to stare at the idiot box. In Gujarat stranger things are happenign after seeing Ghar ghar ki kahani and Saas bhi bhuthee, the husbands are wondering whether the children are their own and many are going for paternity tests! It is straying into ridiculous lengths. The remedy lies with us viewers. In case of Etv if people refuse to pay for pay channel it is a small way of expressing our disgust about the quality of these serials.

If crime story shows bloodshed and dead bodies, even crime diary also shows the same. There is no difference between both. They defame the person of the episode with all types of words. I recall one such episode where Ravi Belagere said: “ivana mukha nODri kosambari thara ide”.. Just an example. He has said all types of things. And Kakathkar usually says: “heege janara hattra chee thoo anta annuskonDu bedukirabEka?”

Both have no concern for journalistic values. Both dont have any concern for the real problems faced by the mass. Both are NO.1 when it comes to advertising FILMS. Ravi has advertised films like Cyanide, Deadly Soma and others. And this Kakathkar has advertised Mohini film. Mohini director Rajendra Singh Babu told that he faced “mohini kaaTa” during the film shooting. Kakathkar like a fool telecast it. Both have shown the Manya episode as if it would affect our living.

I do agree that Udaya Programmes are very bad but the silverlining in the black cloud are the two serials of afternoon slot Thakadimitha and Nakuthanthi which are really differnet from other serials showcasing the today’s political and social scenario Especially Naku thanthi after finishing 700 episodes also it still has the grip and the focus of story I appreciate B SURESH and team for this.

About crime story and dairy really who watches these programme i wonder !!!!